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Derailed Plot: A Travel Tragedy Mystery
When journalist Astrid skips town and boards a prestigious luxury tourist train to take up a job offer, she has big plans… … but tripping over a dead body and finding herself in the frame for murder wasn't on the list. A mere day after boarding the train, she’s confined to quarters and looking down the barrel of a murder charge. Thankfully, she's working with ace photographer Samantha, which means she has a valuable ally to help her out of the mess; when it becomes clear that no one is on hand to help them, the dynamic duo turn detective to find the real killer. But someone on the train doesn't want them to succeed, and when a staff member lets slip a high-stakes secret, the women realise it’s more than just Astrid's freedom at stake. They need to solve this puzzle and hunt down the murderer before they reach the end of the line. Derailed Plot is the first in the Travel Tragedy Series series, which sees Astrid embracing her new life travelling all over the world, and discovering a multitude of new talents as she leaves her cheating ex in the dust. Don’t miss this clean cosy mystery romp written in British English.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 30, 2021
3 1/2 Stars
I picked this one up for the r/CozyMystery Discord book club read for April. And, as a chronic procrastinator, I waited until the last days of April to read and review it. That's how I roll.
In a nutshell, Astrid runs off from the home she shares with her doctor husband after catching him in bed with one of her colleagues. She joins up with her friend Sam, a photographer who is working on a coffee table book of hidden tourist gems in Europe and the last chapter involves taking a week long Orient Express style train trip along the coast of Spain. The morning after boarding, Astrid and her friends discover a murdered man, become suspects and must work fast to find a murderer.
While there were a few things I had issues with (which I'll get to next) overall I thought this was a cute and charming book. I liked Astrid and Sam, I thought they were likable and if the series goes further, I'd be interested in seeing them progress and have more dimension to them. I loved the location porn, from the small Spanish town of San Sebastian to the views from the train as it wound its way across Spain and Portugal. Enviable, where can I sign up?
But there were issues that I chalk up to a writer with a lot of good ideas, but without a lot of writing experience. And that's fine, everyone has to start somewhere. The main issues I had is that the MC, Astrid, didn't sound like a woman who has experience as a jet setting career woman, she sounded much younger, like early 20s younger. Astrid is also from England and yet the tone of the book sounded very American. And that's fine, because I'd be more annoyed if the tone stayed the same and the author just sprinkled a few Britishisms like "Quite right!" or "I'll just have a spot of tea" as if mentioning tea is enough to make a book sound more British. I'm not sure about where the author is from (not that it matters) but if she is English, I'd expect it to sound more English-y (Yes, I said English-y, you know what I mean) The plot was also simple and formulaic, and I think if some things were researched a bit further and the book edited to tighten up the plot, this would be a 5 star book. An example, after they found the body of the victim, the train's security chief told Astrid and her friends to "go back to one suite until they could be questioned" and although I'm not in law enforcement or the legal profession, my thought is that if they were, in fact, legitimate suspects, they wouldn't be left unaccompanied to wander back to their suite and hang around cooking up a story and hiding evidence. Then again, perhaps that was a clue? Hmmmm. Now I'm rethinking that assessment.
Overall, I'll give this one 3 stars because I did enjoy it, at around 150 page, it was perfect for an evening read and despite the issues, I will probably pick up other books in the series, particularly if the writing and the characters progress.
I picked this one up for the r/CozyMystery Discord book club read for April. And, as a chronic procrastinator, I waited until the last days of April to read and review it. That's how I roll.
In a nutshell, Astrid runs off from the home she shares with her doctor husband after catching him in bed with one of her colleagues. She joins up with her friend Sam, a photographer who is working on a coffee table book of hidden tourist gems in Europe and the last chapter involves taking a week long Orient Express style train trip along the coast of Spain. The morning after boarding, Astrid and her friends discover a murdered man, become suspects and must work fast to find a murderer.
While there were a few things I had issues with (which I'll get to next) overall I thought this was a cute and charming book. I liked Astrid and Sam, I thought they were likable and if the series goes further, I'd be interested in seeing them progress and have more dimension to them. I loved the location porn, from the small Spanish town of San Sebastian to the views from the train as it wound its way across Spain and Portugal. Enviable, where can I sign up?
But there were issues that I chalk up to a writer with a lot of good ideas, but without a lot of writing experience. And that's fine, everyone has to start somewhere. The main issues I had is that the MC, Astrid, didn't sound like a woman who has experience as a jet setting career woman, she sounded much younger, like early 20s younger. Astrid is also from England and yet the tone of the book sounded very American. And that's fine, because I'd be more annoyed if the tone stayed the same and the author just sprinkled a few Britishisms like "Quite right!" or "I'll just have a spot of tea" as if mentioning tea is enough to make a book sound more British. I'm not sure about where the author is from (not that it matters) but if she is English, I'd expect it to sound more English-y (Yes, I said English-y, you know what I mean) The plot was also simple and formulaic, and I think if some things were researched a bit further and the book edited to tighten up the plot, this would be a 5 star book. An example, after they found the body of the victim, the train's security chief told Astrid and her friends to "go back to one suite until they could be questioned" and although I'm not in law enforcement or the legal profession, my thought is that if they were, in fact, legitimate suspects, they wouldn't be left unaccompanied to wander back to their suite and hang around cooking up a story and hiding evidence. Then again, perhaps that was a clue? Hmmmm. Now I'm rethinking that assessment.
Overall, I'll give this one 3 stars because I did enjoy it, at around 150 page, it was perfect for an evening read and despite the issues, I will probably pick up other books in the series, particularly if the writing and the characters progress.
April 8, 2021
After finding her husband in bed with another woman, Astrid decides to accept an offer to review a transcontinental train across Spain while she reexamines her life. However, when she becomes the prime suspect in a murder, she finds herself trying to find the real culprit before she is handed over to the Spanish policia.
Although this book claims to be a cozy murder mystery, the murder does not happen until chapter 6 (out of 15). The beginning of the book focuses more on Astrid reexamining her life and getting to the train. It is also very difficult to feel immersed in the story. Beginning on page one, the book is full of scenes where the narrator tells us what has just happened during the scene break instead of showing it as it happens. Combined with the occasional errors in grammar and tense, I had a difficult time being engaged in the story.
And the scene where Astrid goes clothes shopping with a complete stranger in a Madrid airport? That felt a little weird to me.
While the story felt rushed, the ending felt incomplete. Although I could understand whodunit (and made the connection before the main character), I had trouble understanding the why. And the reader is left wondering whether Astrid will return to her husband at the end of the story, as Astrid remains undecided.
Ultimately, I walked away feeling underwhelmed.
Although this book claims to be a cozy murder mystery, the murder does not happen until chapter 6 (out of 15). The beginning of the book focuses more on Astrid reexamining her life and getting to the train. It is also very difficult to feel immersed in the story. Beginning on page one, the book is full of scenes where the narrator tells us what has just happened during the scene break instead of showing it as it happens. Combined with the occasional errors in grammar and tense, I had a difficult time being engaged in the story.
And the scene where Astrid goes clothes shopping with a complete stranger in a Madrid airport? That felt a little weird to me.
While the story felt rushed, the ending felt incomplete. Although I could understand whodunit (and made the connection before the main character), I had trouble understanding the why. And the reader is left wondering whether Astrid will return to her husband at the end of the story, as Astrid remains undecided.
Ultimately, I walked away feeling underwhelmed.
March 29, 2021
This was a roller coaster of a train ride through Spain, funny in places and suspenseful in others. I really liked Astrid and her friend Sam she was freelancing with. I had to hand it to Astrid for making something for herself out of a bad situation in the beginning by turning into a freelance journalist. The two ladies met a new friend on the train who proved to be a good sleuthing buddy when Astrid realized someone was out to frame her for murder. I loved how the three of them outsmarted the baddies.
It wasn't too hard to pick out the main perp, but there were some other little twists along the way. The whole thing was just a fun mystery with train stops, running from perps, hiding or eavesdropping on perps and that whole worry about getting killed next thing, kind of like Orient Express only with wi-fi. At least in the end, Astrid had her showdown where it was safe with someone in charge.
I'm anxious to borrow the next book in KU now, because it looks like photographer Sam had another travel writing assignment for her pal Astrid.
It wasn't too hard to pick out the main perp, but there were some other little twists along the way. The whole thing was just a fun mystery with train stops, running from perps, hiding or eavesdropping on perps and that whole worry about getting killed next thing, kind of like Orient Express only with wi-fi. At least in the end, Astrid had her showdown where it was safe with someone in charge.
I'm anxious to borrow the next book in KU now, because it looks like photographer Sam had another travel writing assignment for her pal Astrid.
March 4, 2021
First in series, Starts off with a bang! Astrid goes home early, thinking of surprising her husband with a meal and wine before he goes to work.
She did surprise him...and her co-worker he was having an affair with.
Astrid had been contacted by a old co worker Sam, who was needed a journalist
for the book she was having published-a Luxury Coffee Table Book. All expenses paid. She returned her call and took the job she offered.
Astrid got in touch with a travel agency and booked her flight, packing her suitcases....Where she met Ben, who helped her....
Sam met her at the Transcanatabrico where they were meeting the "Big Bosses" later Ben shows up, he was on the same train...
Where they met Charles who was later murdered.... Mr. Fox the train security
officer how accuses Astrid of murder.....who was the mysterious man following them around....How does the waiter Paul fit into this.....as this unravels your working to find how...who...why...as always you must follow...
She did surprise him...and her co-worker he was having an affair with.
Astrid had been contacted by a old co worker Sam, who was needed a journalist
for the book she was having published-a Luxury Coffee Table Book. All expenses paid. She returned her call and took the job she offered.
Astrid got in touch with a travel agency and booked her flight, packing her suitcases....Where she met Ben, who helped her....
Sam met her at the Transcanatabrico where they were meeting the "Big Bosses" later Ben shows up, he was on the same train...
Where they met Charles who was later murdered.... Mr. Fox the train security
officer how accuses Astrid of murder.....who was the mysterious man following them around....How does the waiter Paul fit into this.....as this unravels your working to find how...who...why...as always you must follow...
April 25, 2021
First in a new series, we are introduced to Astrid, a journalist and her photographer friend, Sam. Astrid goes home early and walks in on her husband in bed with one of her coworkers. Hurt and angry, Astrid packs her bags and leaves. Fortunately Sam had just offered her a freelance job helping her with a luxury travel coffee table book which includes travel on a luxury train. But when Astrid stumbles across a dead body and is accused of murder, the two women and new friend, Ben, set out to find the real killer.
I enjoyed the characters and the story. The ending was open ended in that we are left wondering if Astrid returns to her cheating spouse or if she heads off on another writing assignment. Looking forward to reading more of this series.
I enjoyed the characters and the story. The ending was open ended in that we are left wondering if Astrid returns to her cheating spouse or if she heads off on another writing assignment. Looking forward to reading more of this series.
March 4, 2021
Astrid is a woman I would love to know and have for a friend. No matter how much is thrown at her, she keeps picking herself up and moving forward. As she starts a new phase in her life, or more correctly goes back to her old phase as a travel journalist, she boards a luxury train to start her adventure. Thinking she will have a relaxing and fun week on the journey she is surprised to be accused of murder instead. Can she clear herself and enjoy the trip? Read this story and find out how Astrid fairs on her journey through Spain and hopefully beyond. Cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
March 4, 2021
Astrid is having a bad day. She comes home from work to find her husband in bed with another woman. At the same time, she gets an offer from a friend to write articles for a travel magazine. She is to meet her friend at the train station if a few days. Astrid decides to take the offer and get away. Once she gets on the train, a man is murdered and she is the prime suspect. Astrid and her friends investigate as best as they can while being on a moving train. Join Astrid and her friends as they track down clues and figure out why the man was murdered. This is the first in a new series. I look forward to reading more.
March 26, 2021
Astrid needs a break after catching her husband in bed with her friend. A job offer to write copy for a travel book from her friend Sam in Spain is perfect. Everything is going wonderful until Astrid is accused of murder on the train. Luckily she has Sam and a new friend, Ben, to support her. They team up to solve the crime while dodging train security. It’s a fun, fast-paced murder mystery with enough twists to keep it interesting. I received an advance copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.
March 1, 2021
What a ride this was ! The opening pages were a little bizarre, but the story was fantastic! Descriptions of the train ride make me want to visit Spain to see the country side. The characters were well developed and believable. The plot changed tracks, rounded curves and came to an unexpected conclusion! Looking forward to reading more of Astrid’s adventures!
I received a complimentary copy of the is book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of the is book in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2021
You are hooked as soon as you start reading...❣️
I have been crazy about train travel and cruising for 70 years😏
Another wonderful story from a great author❣️ Next please
I have been crazy about train travel and cruising for 70 years😏
Another wonderful story from a great author❣️ Next please
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews